Power-driven hand-held hair curler

ABSTRACT

A power-driven hand-held hair curler having provision for selectively supporting both hot and cold types of curler rolls and operable to roll hair thereonto in either direction at the user&#39;&#39;s option. The accessory includes a support stand for the curler itself and provision for storing the curler rolls in readiness for use as well as a battery recharger.

United States Patent Robert M. Reyes 2,448,263 8/1948 l-lannon .1 132/34 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,261,027 4/1961 France 259/1 688,360 3/ 195 3 Great Britain 206/65 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Attorney-Sellers & Brace ABSTRACT: A power-driven hand-held hair curler having provision for selectively supporting both hot and cold types of curler rolls and operable to roll hair thereonto in either direction at the user's option. The accessory includes a support stand for the curler itself and provision for storing the curler rolls in readiness for use as well as a battery recharger.

POWER-DRIVEN HAND-HELD HAIR CURLER This invention relates to hair curlers, and more particularly to a hand-held power-driven curler usable selectively with a range of different size curler rolls of both the hot and cold type.

A particularly popular mode of dressing ladies hair makes use of different size rollers about which selected portions of the hair is tightly hand wound while moistened. Various expedients are utilized for holding the rollers snugly wrapped with hairwhile the hair, dries and takes a set in curled condition.

This prior practice involving hand winding of the rolls is time consuming and laborious requiring considerable manipulative expertise on the part of the user. The procedure is particularly difficult to perform as respects certain areas of the head because of difficulties experienced in manipulating the rollers in these areas. In all cases the individual rolls must be rolled in small increments as the operator changes the grip of her fingers on the rollers.

The foregoing and other shortcomings anddifiiculties experienced in performing the above mentioned operations are aided or greatly minimized by the present invention. The basic component comprises a lightweight handle enclosing a motordriven mandrel fitted on its outer end with simple, highly effective means for mounting any of a wide range of types and sizes of curler rolls. These are simply telescoped over the driving mandrel and frictionally retained in place thereon following which the user operates a control to rotate the roller as the outer end of a selected bank of hair is held pressed thereagainst. In this manner, the major portion of the labor involved in applying the curlers to the hair is performed quickly and positively by power means under the control of the operators fingertip. Standard curler rolls can be used simply by pressing them over the end of the mandrel or, in some cases, by attaching an appropriate adapter over the mandrel. As soon as one roll has been wrapped, finger pressure applied to an operating control suffices to release the roll so that the curler tool may be withdrawn and telescoped into the next roll.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is the provision of a hand-held power-driven hair curler attachable to a range of difi'erent standard curler rolls.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple, lightweight, inexpensive power-driven device quickly attachable to and detachable from curler rolls of different size for use in curling hair thereon quickly and effortlessly.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a batterydriven hand-held hair curler selectively usable with first one and then another curler roll to coil hair snugly thereon.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an instantly reversible power-driven hair curler operable to curl hair in either direction about a roll temporarily mounted thereon.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and'upon consideration in connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view partly in longitudinal section of a preferred embodiment of the invention while supported at rest in an accessory stand for the tool and its accessories;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view through the upper end of FIG. 1 showing the roll ejector in use to eject a roller;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the roll gripping collet and adapter in release position and ejector operating handle in retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 on FIG. I; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. I but showing an adapter and a cold type roll in place on the curler mandrel.

Referring more particularly to FIG. I, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention hair curler, designated generally 10. The curler has a hollow plastic handle 11 housing an electric motor 12 preferably equipped with a speed reducer and a normally engaged friction clutch 13 coupled to a drive shaft 14. This shaft is joumaled in a bearing 15 secured to handle 11, shaft 14 being provided with split ring keepers l7, 17 holding it securely assembled to the bearing. Housed within handle 11 is a suitable battery 19 of either the dry cell or storage type, the terminals being connected to a control switch motor by means including spring contactors 20, 2I.

Mounted near the forward end of handle 11 is a motorreversing control switch 23. This switch includes a sliding control button 24 normally held in open position by a pair of compression springs 25, 26. Fixed in the wall of the switch housing are three contacts 27, 28, 29 provided with leads connected to the battery and to driving motor 12. A U-shaped spring contactor 30 carried by the switch button 24 is operable to complete a circuit between the motor and the battery to drive the motor in one direction when a circuit is completed through contactors 27, 28 and in the opposite direction when the motor circuit is completed through contactors 28, 29. Accordingly, the motor drives the curler roll in one direction when the switch is forcibly held in its forward position and in the opposite direction when button 24 is held in its rearward position F The exposed outer end of drive shaft I4 is provided with a spindle 32 having a tapered mandrel 33 adjacent the tool handle. A one-piece "tubular collet 35 of resilient material telescopes over the outer end of spindle 32 and into seating engagement with mandrel 33. This collect is formed with a well 36 at its outer end for a retainer screw 37 assembled mating with a threaded bore in the end of spindle 32. The head of screw 37 is larger in diameter than the spindle and permits collect 35 to have limited movement axially of spindle 32.

Collet 35 is formed with three slots 39 extending throughout the major length of its inner end to permit the same to expand and frictionally grip mandrel 33 when telescoped thereover. Additionally, the inner end of its central bore is tapered, as indicated at 40, complementally to the tapered surface of mandrel 33. When collet 35 is pressed into its assembled position, as shown in FIG. 1, its flanged inner end projects a short distance beyondthe larger end 68 of the mandrel.

FIG. 1 further shows a typical hot type curler roll 44 assembled to and retained by collet 35. Smaller and larger diameter curler rolls are formed with an internal diameter have a sliding fit with the exterior of the collet when in relaxed condition. Only one curler roll size is illustrated, but it will be understood the rollsmay be made in a range of external diameters and each having the same internal diameters sized to have a close sliding fit with the exterior of collet 35.

The means for ejecting a curler roll from its assembled position on mandrel 33 will now be described with the aid of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. This ejector includes an operating L-shaped handle 60 pivoted to the forward end of curler handle 11 by pivot pin 61 and bracket 62. The portion of handle 60 extending crosswise of drive shaft 14 is slotted at 64 to fit loosely about a grooved collar 65 mounted loosely on shaft I4. A compression spring 66 normally acts to pivot control lever 60 to its retracted position spaced outwardly away from the side of the curler handle. However when handle 60 is forcibly pivoted in wardly compressing pring 66, its shorter end 64 presses collar 65 and ring 70 fixed thereto upwardly along shaft 14, as viewed in FIG. 1, into abutment with the lower end of collet 35 to press the latter free of mandrel 33. The resilient legs of the collet contract inwardly allowing the resilient skirt of roll 44 to spring inwardly. This is the position of the parts illustrated in FIG. 2 from which it will be evident that curler roll 44 is loose and free to be lifted from the curler mandrel.

FIG. 3 shows the position of the parts after a new curler roll 44 has been telescoped into its partially assembled position over collet 35. When fully assembled, the lower end of collet 35 will be positioned somewhat below the end 68 of mandrel 33 and will be expanded into firm gripping relation with the interior of the curler roll. Only a smaller diameter typical curler roll 44 is illustrated in the drawing, but it will be understood that rolls of assorted diameters and designs may be used.

It will be understood that, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, ejector collar 65 is fitted with an adapter ring 70 useful in the removal of larger diameter curler rolls 44. However ring 70 may be dispensed with and collar 65 relied upon to eject larger curler rolls from the collet.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a typical cold type curler roll 50 in assembled position on the curler tool. Rolls 50 are thin walled and formed with perforations 51. These rolls are normally used in different diameters and are held detachably in place on collet 35 by an appropriately sized adapter 53. These adapters differ only in the radial width of the fins 54 projecting radially from their tubular body 55. This body is slotted at 56 to give the adapter resiliency and to accommodate expansion of the slotted lower end of collet 35. Additionally the lower end of adapter 53 is closed by a ring 57 projecting beyond fins 54 to provide a stop for curler roll 50.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the tool is used in the same manner with either hot or cold types of rolls except that when using cold rolls 50 it is necessary to employ an adapter of appropriate size between the roll and collet 35.

When the various fittings and rolls are not in use they are preferably held captive on a supporting stand designated generally 75. This stand is equipped centrally with a frustoconical socket 76 having an opening 77 for receiving the outer end of curler handle 11 when the latter is not in use with major portion of its length exposed for grasping in the users hand. Housed within shell 76, but not shown, is a suitable charger for battery 19. A service cord 78 extends from the charger to a source of power, such as a conventional altemating current outlet. Surrounding the base of shell 76 are a plurality of retainer posts 80 over which adapters 53 and curler rolls 44 may be inserted and held captive when not in use.

While the particular power-driven hand-held hair curler herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A power-driven hand-held hair curler for winding hair on curler roll means of the type worn against a persons head while the hair curled thereon sets comprising an elongated main body and handgrip supporting an electric motor therein, rotary shaft means projecting from said motor through the wall of said main body supporting annular collet means thereon effective to grip curler roll means, hair curler roll means adapted to be detachably mounted on said collet means while a hank of hair is being wound thereon and on which the hair remains wound until it has taken a set, said curler roll means being hollow and free of obstructions extending crosswise of substantially the full length thereof, means for holding said curler roll means detachably assembled to said collet means while a hank of hair is being wound thereon and thereafter being released along with the hair wound thereon, and motor control means conveniently accessible to the fingers of an operator's hand while grasping said handgrip for controlling the operation of said electric motor.

2. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said electric motor is reversible and operable in either direction depending upon the direction of movement of said motor control means from the normal neutral position thereof.

3. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said electric motor is energized by battery means housed within said main body.

4. A hand-held curler as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of manually operable leverage means mounted on and forming a part of said hair curler and manipulatable to release said curler roll means together with a hank of hair secured in wound condition thereon.

5. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said rotary shaft means includes a tapered portion having its larger diameter end adjacent said main body, said collet means being telescoped over said shaft means and expandable when telescoped axially over said tapered portion and effective as it is expanded to frictionally grip and retain a curler roll concentrically assembled thereto.

6. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 5 characterized in the provision of a collet-type tubular adapter having an internal bore sized to telescope over said collet means, and said adapter being sized to receive a curler roll thereover and cooperating therewith to hold said curler roll nonrotatable assembled thereto.

7. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 6 characterized in the provision of a plurality of adapters of like internal size but of differing external size each adapted to be selectively retained assembled to said collet means and each effective to support a curler roll of a particular size.

8. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 5 characterized in that means are provided for securing said collet means to said shaft and permitting said collet means to move through a limited distance axially of said rotary shaft between the expanded and contracted positions of said collet means.

9. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 8 characterized in the provision of manually operable means for shifting said collet means between the contracted and he expanded positions thereof, and said manually operable means being operable to shift said collet means axially along said shaft means from the expanded to the contracted position of the collet means.

10. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said adapter is generally tubular and provided on the exterior thereof with a plurality of equitably distributed radial flanges.

11. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of a broad based support stand for said hair curler including an upwardly opening socket sized to seat the outer end of the curler handgrip when the curler is not in use and a plurality of upright spindles for seating and retaining captive hair curler rolls used with said hair curler when not mounted on said rotary shaft means. 

1. A power-driven hand-held hair curler for winding hair on curler roll means of the type worn against a person''s head while the hair curled thereon sets comprising an elongated main body and handgRip supporting an electric motor therein, rotary shaft means projecting from said motor through the wall of said main body supporting annular collet means thereon effective to grip curler roll means, hair curler roll means adapted to be detachably mounted on said collet means while a hank of hair is being wound thereon and on which the hair remains wound until it has taken a set, said curler roll means being hollow and free of obstructions extending crosswise of substantially the full length thereof, means for holding said curler roll means detachably assembled to said collet means while a hank of hair is being wound thereon and thereafter being released along with the hair wound thereon, and motor control means conveniently accessible to the fingers of an operator''s hand while grasping said handgrip for controlling the operation of said electric motor.
 2. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said electric motor is reversible and operable in either direction depending upon the direction of movement of said motor control means from the normal neutral position thereof.
 3. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said electric motor is energized by battery means housed within said main body.
 4. A hand-held curler as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of manually operable leverage means mounted on and forming a part of said hair curler and manipulatable to release said curler roll means together with a hank of hair secured in wound condition thereon.
 5. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said rotary shaft means includes a tapered portion having its larger diameter end adjacent said main body, said collet means being telescoped over said shaft means and expandable when telescoped axially over said tapered portion and effective as it is expanded to frictionally grip and retain a curler roll concentrically assembled thereto.
 6. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 5 characterized in the provision of a collet-type tubular adapter having an internal bore sized to telescope over said collet means, and said adapter being sized to receive a curler roll thereover and cooperating therewith to hold said curler roll nonrotatable assembled thereto.
 7. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 6 characterized in the provision of a plurality of adapters of like internal size but of differing external size each adapted to be selectively retained assembled to said collet means and each effective to support a curler roll of a particular size.
 8. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 5 characterized in that means are provided for securing said collet means to said shaft and permitting said collet means to move through a limited distance axially of said rotary shaft between the expanded and contracted positions of said collet means.
 9. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 8 characterized in the provision of manually operable means for shifting said collet means between the contracted and he expanded positions thereof, and said manually operable means being operable to shift said collet means axially along said shaft means from the expanded to the contracted position of the collet means.
 10. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 6 characterized in that said adapter is generally tubular and provided on the exterior thereof with a plurality of equitably distributed radial flanges.
 11. A hand-held hair curler as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of a broad based support stand for said hair curler including an upwardly opening socket sized to seat the outer end of the curler handgrip when the curler is not in use and a plurality of upright spindles for seating and retaining captive hair curler rolls used with said hair curler when not mounted on said rotary shaft means. 